2026 U.S. Film Incentive Hot Spots: Top 5 States at a Glance

Updated 10.23.26

Planning your next shoot? The right location is about more than scenery. Savvy producers maximize savings with the best state film & TV tax credits and local incentives, and the work is following them. 

According to ProdPro’s Q3 2026 production data, New York’s production spend jumped 87% year over year to $1.61 billion, closing in on California’s $1.76 billion.

Below, we break down the film and TV tax incentives in the top five production states: New Jersey, New York, California, Georgia, and Illinois, the newest addition. See credit rates, minimum spend, transferability, and caps side by side, and find out which states treat GreenSlate payroll handling fees as eligible expenses.

1. California: The Home of Hollywood Still Delivers

The golden standard remains shiny, and big-budget TV comes back for the massive incentives. In an effort to lure more productions in 2026, California opened its Tax Credit Program 4.0, increasing the state’s base credit to 35%. California also has its first standalone post-production tax credit, with a dedicated incentive for post-production work starting in 2027.

• California film tax credit: 35-45% refundable (up to 40% for relocating TV series in year one).
• California film incentive program: $750M/year cap under the current session; competitive entry.
• California transferable film tax credit: Only for independent projects, but this can be a game-changer.
• California film incentive minimum spend: $1M per project or per episode.

Added benefit: GreenSlate payroll handling fees qualify as an eligible expense under the California incentive program.

Learn more about California’s Film Tax Credit Program.

2. New York: The Empire State of Entertainment

From Manhattan to the Hudson Valley, New York remains a powerhouse for TV and film:

• New York film tax credit: 30% refundable tax credit, with an extra 10% for upstate productions.
• New York film post-production tax credit: 30% refundable tax credit, with an extra 5% for upstate productions.
• New York film tax credit minimum spend: $1M minimum spend in NYC/Metro area unlocks incentive eligibility. $250K minimum spend in the rest of the state.
• New York film tax credit program: $800M cap annually for large projects; $100M reserved for independents, $45M cap annually for post-only projects.
• New York transferable film tax credit: No—credits are non-transferable, but highly valuable as refunds.

Added benefit: GreenSlate payroll handling fees qualify as an eligible expense under the New York incentive program.

Learn more about New York State’s Film Tax Credit Program.

3. Georgia: Southern Hospitality, Hollywood-Style

Georgia is a film industry hub. Here’s why:

• Georgia film tax credit: 20%-30% transferable credit with a base 20% and a 10% uplift for meeting certain marketing requirements set forth by the Film Office. 
• Georgia film tax credit minimum spend: Minimum $500,000 spend required.
• Georgia film incentive program: Uncapped, so bring your biggest ideas.

Eligible expenses clarification: Certain payroll handling fees may qualify; however, final determinations rest with the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Learn more about Georgia’s Film Tax Credit Program.

Bonus: GreenSlate’s automated Georgia Film Tax Credit reports are built to make compliance fast, accurate, and stress-free.

4. New Jersey: Hollywood on the Hudson

Why shoot in New Jersey? The state boasts a dynamic film incentive program, competitive credits, and proximity to New York City. 

In our Film Production Spotlight on New Jersey, the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission’s Jon Crowley said there are essentially five spokes of resources for productions in New Jersey: the variety of locations, a huge experienced workforce, an expanding infrastructure (👋 Netflix’s state-of-the-art production facility in Monmouth), the commission, and, of course, the incentives.

• New Jersey film tax credit: 30%-40% transferable tax credit on qualified expenses (the highest end is for studio partner projects) with an extra 4% hiring bonus uplift.
• New Jersey post-production tax credit: 35%-40% transferable tax credit on qualified expenses (the highest end is for studio partner projects) with an extra 4% hiring bonus uplift.
• New Jersey film incentive program: No project cap with more than $100M annually in rolling credits.
• New Jersey transferable film tax credit: Yes, credits are fully transferable, enhancing financial flexibility.
• New Jersey film incentive minimum spend: $1M for films (or 60% of total spend in NJ); $2M for digital media productions, $500K for post-production expenses.

Added benefit: GreenSlate payroll handling fees qualify as an eligible expense under the New Jersey incentive program.

Learn more about the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program.

5. Illinois: Windy City Wins

Illinois is gaining ground as as productions shift away from higher-cost hubs, with Chicago’s crew base, studio space, and a generous, uncapped incentive program:

• Illinois film tax credit: 30%-35% with uplifts available for hiring crew from economically disadvantaged areas, shooting in certain counties, relocating TV series, and meeting sustainability criteria set forth by the Film Office
• Illinois film incentive program: No annual or project cap.
• Illinois transferable film tax credit: Yes. Credits can be transferred within one year of issuance and split among up to 10 transferees.
• Illinois film incentive minimum spend: $50K for projects under 30 minutes and $100K for projects over 30 minutes.

Added benefit: GreenSlate payroll handling fees qualify as an eligible expense under the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit program.

Learn how your production can make the most of filming in Illinois in our Illinois Film Tax Credits blog.

Quick-Reference Table

Q&A: U.S. Film Incentives

We pulled together answers to some of the questions we hear most often—but let’s be real, every project is different. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask! Our incentives specialists love helping productions figure out the best ways to stretch their budget and boost savings.

Q: Which U.S. state has transferable film tax credits?
A: Georgia, Illinois, and New Jersey offer fully transferable film tax credits. California's are transferable for independents; New York credits are non-transferable.

Q: What’s the minimum spend film incentive for TV in New York?
A: The minimum qualifying spend in the NYC/Metro area is $1M per project and $250K minimum spend in the rest of the state.

Explore More Incentives

See every U.S. state incentive on our interactive GreenSlate Tax Incentives Map.
Or learn more about GreenSlate’s one-stop incentives management services. 

This information in this communication is general in nature, and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal, accounting, tax or other professional advice rendered by GreenSlate, LLC. The reader should contact his or her attorney, CPA, or tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.